removing a backboiler fireplace?

Hi

Have had a plumber in doing some upgrading in the house (central heating system etc)

There was an old back boiler in the fireplace heating a water cylinder. This sytem is now redundant as the cylidner is now gone an replaced with a new heating sytem and immersion.

The plumber has removed all pipework and the cylinder from the walls but says the back boiler has to be decommissioned.

He wont cap the pipes as he say if we light a fire it could cause an explosion or major damage. Is this right?

He says we need to get the back boiler fireplace decommissioned and removed and just put in a regular open fireplace?

Is this difficult to do? Is it a DIY job or do I need a professional. all the pipework related to the back boiler has been removed, it is just whatever is left in the fireplace.

We really would like to be able to light a fire!

We had our backboiler removed last year and it has made a huge difference to the heat of the house. Is it a DIY job, only if you are good at that sort of thing. I personaly wouldn't let Mr bear touch it. We paid a builder €700 to do it.

Can't see why ur plumber won't do this for you?
All he has the do is drain the boiler and remove the pipework to it. Then drills number of holes into the bottom of the boiler shell (so it can contain no water too over heat and explode. Not a big job by any mean and will allow the boiler to stay in place ( at least until next time ur getting a new fireplace)

He has removed the pipework coming out of the fireplace connected that were connected to the boiler.

He said he could not cap the ends of the pipes as this would lead to a build up of pressure if a fire was lit.

Hes charging me an arm and a leg for extras that I just cant afford so if its easy enough to do myself then I dont mind getting stuck in

well according to recent Bord Gais safety notice to installers these should be properly decommissioned if not removed as I suggested above